Hellenes in Australia, Greece and across the globe are grieving the loss of Mary Drost OAM, an Australian Philhellene described as a “heroic activist” by those who knew her, on multiple causes including the fight for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
Mary Drost OAM, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday with her niece, Jill, at her side along with other members of her family.
A natural political force with a caring personality, Melburnian Ms Drost was never one to live in the shadows.
She has been known for fighting continuously for issues important to her local Boroondara community and beyond, including for causes close to the heart of Hellenes worldwide, also thanks to her broad network of Greek Australian friends.
Most recently she had served as Convenor of Planning Backlash Inc, a coalition of 250 plus resident groups across Melbourne, coast and country, as well as vice President of the Boroondara Residents Action Group, spearheading fights against unethical and unfavourable to local communities development projects.
Ms Drost had been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her contributions.
Her years-long activism included among other initiatives, the leading of citizens’ marches against overdevelopment, in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she lived for 21 years.
Within the Greek community, Mary Drost OAM, has been widely known for her tireless advocacy in issues ranging from the North Macedonia naming issue, holding various organisations to account prior to the matter being resolved, through to the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece from the British Museum.
In 2019, Melburnian Greek Steve Karakitsos had approached Ms Drost – who was already updated on the reunification request by several Greek friends – asking her to write to Queen Elizabeth on behalf of Melbourne’s Greeks about the issue.
Her correspondence had then prompted the first widely known written statement of the Queen on the matter. In the Buckingham Palace reply that followed, the Queen had not appeared to be against the return, though stating the Queen’s inability to take any action, lacking jurisdiction.
Ms Drost continued on her efforts in exerting pressure on prominent figures about the issue, e-mailing Stanley Johnson, the father of then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and spearheading the planning of a big demonstration in front of the British Museum.
“Mary exhibited tireless activism and love of the community, and an ability to reinvent herself for multiple causes, planning and heritage, environmental, cultural etc. up until the very end,” Mr Karakitsos said in a statement to Neos Kosmos.
“Her plans to continue her worthwhile advocacy were cut short, but testament to a restless spirit who fought for what is just and fair. She will be sorely missed.”
